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Cape Town - It certainly isn’t the most glamorous of tours, but when the Proteas head off to Bangladesh in July there will be a few players desperate to prove their worth on the international stage.
Sport24 looks at SEVEN PLAYERS across all three formats who, for different reasons, need a good tour to put their hands up.
REEZA HENDRICKS
The Knights opener is included in the Test squad and with the departure of Alviro Petersen there is a spot available. Hendricks averages under 35 in First Class cricket, a little concerning in picturing him as a Test opener, but Bangladesh will provide the perfect platform for him should he be given a chance.
AARON PHANGISO
The left-arm spinner was a spectator at the World Cup, but now he is being given a chance in the Test squad. It is hard to see Phangiso picking up a lot of wickets in Test cricket, but his accuracy could see him used as an effective and economical holding option. This is a great chance for the 31-year-old to prove that he still has a significant role to play in Proteas cricket.
SIMON HARMER
The other spinning option in the Test squad, Harmer took seven wickets in his debut against the West Indies and has earned another crack. He is more of an attacking option than Phangiso, and should get his chance in Bangladesh. With Imran Tahir out of favour in the longer format, the Proteas are looking for a long-term option and Harmer would love to be just that.
TEMBA BAVUMA
There is no doubt that the Lions middle-order batsman has the talent, but whether or not he can deliver at the highest level remains in doubt. He has failed in the two Tests he has played in so far, and needs to get going soon if he is to stay ahead of the chasing pack. Should he get the nod for the two Tests in Bangladesh, he will need to make big runs somewhere to stake a claim long-term.
FARHAAN BEHARDIEN
One of the World Cup casualties, Behardien has long battled to convince a critical South African public that he warrants a place in the ODI side. He has another opportunity now to prove his worth, though if we don’t see him hitting form against Bangladesh, then we are surely never destined to see it.
KAGISO RABADA
This could be a breakthrough tour for the Lions speedster, who is selected in all three squads. At just 20-years-old, Rabada is one of the brightest prospects in South African cricket and fans will want to see as much of him as possible early on. He is in line to make both his Test and ODI debuts, though with Philander, Morkel and Steyn all in the 5-day squad he might miss out there.
RYAN McLAREN
There were many, most really, who felt that McLaren should have been a part of the World Cup squad. That wasn’t to be, and while it would have hurt, the all-rounder can resurrect his international career with a good display in Bangladesh that shows the Proteas what they were missing out on in New Zealand and Australia.
